Ernie and Dorothy Chittick are this year's Honored Survivors [Click to enlarge]

Ernie and Dorothy Chittick of Rector are fully aware of the struggle involved with battling cancer. The couple has not only had to contend with the threatening, life-changing illness, they've both come through their bouts with cancer. Through their successful efforts in fighting against the disease, Dorothy and Ernie have been named the Honored Survivors of the 2008 Clay County Relay For Life.

Ernie was the first to contend with the illness. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in June of 1996 while the couple still resided in Holly, Mich. Like many who are diagnosed with cancer, Ernie believed he was suffering from some other ailment prior to learning the truth.

"I thought I was having a bladder infection," Ernie said. "The doctor wanted to run more tests. I ended up having a biopsy done and learned that I had prostate cancer."

Despite the shock of being diagnosed, Ernie was fortunate in that his cancer was encased, meaning it was self-contained to a specific area and had not spread elsewhere. A month after being diagnosed, he underwent successful surgery to remove the cancer cells from the affected area.

In the nearly 12 years since his operation, Ernie's body has been cancer-free.

"I've had no problems since then," Ernie said. "I was very fortunate to have had 100 percent removal through my surgery."

The couple retired to Rector following their retirement in 1999. Dorothy was familiar with the area, having lived here from 1945 until her marriage to Ernie in 1969.

"It's nice here because you have the benefits of living in town, but still have that rural feel," Ernie said. "Here there are trees and fields. There's a natural beauty which you won't find in larger cities."

Though enjoying their surroundings, the couple soon faced another crisis. Dorothy was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2002. The disease was found during a routine physical. The cancer attacked Dorothy's immune system, leaving her vulnerable to a wide-range of illnesses. With a lowered level of immunity, Dorothy faced health threats from almost everywhere.

"My immune system was so weak, I could hardly be around people," Dorothy said. "That was one of the things that bothered me the most."

Dorothy began an aggressive chemo treatment in 2002. Her first rounds of treatment continued until June 2004. The chemotherapy was a taxing process in its own right.

"It took a lot out of me," Dorothy said. "It would leave me feeling weak and nauseous."

Dorothy also had periods of time where she had to wait for treatments due to low numbers in her white blood cell count. Still, the treatments seemed to be working and Dorothy went into partial remission for nearly two years.

In 2006, her lymphoma returned. There is no cure for the disease, but periods of remission can occur. Dorothy was alerted to the return of her cancer when a growth appeared under her arm. The reappearance sparked more rounds of chemotherapy. Dorothy also received Rituxan injections. Rituxan is an antibody that can locate and bind to substances, including cancer cells, in the body.

Following her treatments, Dorothy has again gone into remission. She will have been in remission for two years this July.

The Dorothy who greets the world today is much more confident with her condition than she was at first.

"When they told me I had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, I felt like they had given me a death sentence," Dorothy said. "That initial shock and feeling of despair really hit me hard."

However, having gone through his own trial, Ernie was able to give special insight and even greater support to his wife. Dorothy says their previous experiences helped her in her battle.

"He (Ernie) was as supportive as anyone could be," Dorothy said. "He took care of me. He wouldn't let me give up."

"Her illness was more severe than mine," Ernie said. "But by having to deal with prostate cancer, I think it helped me better understand what she was going through. I just wanted to be there for her and be supportive."

Having both battled and survived their own wars with cancer, the Chitticks have found another bond in their already close relationship.

"It's made us closer," Ernie said. "We've had to see each other through some difficult times. We both decided early on we were going to be okay. We've been working toward that goal ever since."

The Chitticks will be special guests at this year's Relay For Life Survivor's Dinner, set for 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 21, in the Family Life Center of the General Baptist Church on South Taylor Street in Piggott. Tickets for the event now are available. Those interested in attending are encouraged to make reservations by Monday, April 14. Persons seeking more information about the event or wishing to make reservations may call Susie Bowman at (870) 598-3457 or (870) 529-3650.